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Bells ring out to celebrate the end of treatment for Derby’s cancer patients

Published31/07/2017

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Patients coming to the end of their cancer treatment in Derby are now able to shout about their big moment, after celebration bells were installed in the Radiotherapy department and Combined Day Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital.

The bells have been provided by the charity End of Treatment Bells to give patients the chance to celebrate their last session of radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

John Brookbanks, who was the first person to ring the bell installed in Radiotherapy, said: “I think it’s a marvellous idea, and it was an honour to be the first person to ring the bell. The staff have been fantastic, and the treatment has been fine, but I’m relieved it’s come to an end. This is a marker of good things to come.”

Mr Brookbanks, 65, was celebrating coming to the end of a 37-session course of treatment for prostate cancer. He visited the hospital from his home in Ilkeston almost every day for eight weeks.

Brenda King, from Ripley, was the first patient to ring the bell in the Combined Day Unit, after completing a long course of chemotherapy for cancer of the womb.

She said: “I’m relieved to have celebrated the end of my treatment. The staff have been wonderful. They’re so kind.”

The bells were created to represent a symbol of hope for patients who are receiving treatment, as they can see others who have been through the same experience at the end of their treatment journey.

Mike Carr, General Manager for Cancer, said: “Ringing the bell is a great way for patients to mark the end of their treatment. It signals hope and draws a line under what has gone before. Hopefully it will help patients to look to the future following their cancer treatment.”

More than 3,000 people underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment in the Trust last year.